Ashtons strengthen Crime & Regulatory team with experienced hire

Ashtons is delighted to announce the recruitment of Senior Associate, Maya Devi Lal, into its Crime & Regulatory team, to further strengthen its defence services to individual and business clients.

Maya’s career has spanned nearly two decades, specialising in Criminal Law, International Law, Human Rights and Public Law.

Maya qualified as a duty solicitor in London, where she regularly appeared as an advocate before a wide range of Magistrates’ Courts and assisted clients at Police Stations. Maya has extensive experience working on major police investigations. Maya was instructed on two leading and important inquiries: the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and the Undercover Policing Inquiry. She also contributed to the Grenfell Inquiry.

Maya’s Public Law experience includes strategic judicial reviews and legal challenges against local authorities and public bodies. Maya was instructed on numerous challenges to local authorities in relation to the provision of accommodation and financial support to destitute children and adults with care needs acting on behalf of Claimants.

Maya joins Partner, Tim Ridyard, whose team specialises in advising and representing businesses and individuals in regulatory and criminal matters- in particular, guiding them through investigations and defending any subsequent prosecution or regulatory action being taken in courts or other tribunals. This includes cases brought by police, HSE, Environment Agency and local government, amongst others. The team has particular expertise in the field of road transport regulatory law, where they assist goods and passenger operators, including in areas such as operator licensing, Traffic Commissioner public inquiry hearings, drivers’ hours, construction and use, maintenance, driver conduct, and compliance.

Tim comments: “I am thrilled to welcome Maya to the team. Her vast experience will be invaluable to our clients, and I have no doubt that her addition will only enhance the reputation of the team.”

Maya adds: “I am very pleased to have joined the Crime & Regulatory team at Ashtons and look forward to supporting our clients with robust, strategic advice grounded in experience and compassion, ensuring that they are heard, respected, and effectively represented throughout their case.”